with Ann Hohenhaus, DVM, DACVIM

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Last week, some of my colleagues from The Animal Medical Center and I participated in the second annual Working Dog Expo at Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital in upper Manhattan. This unique event, sponsored by Angel On A Leash, brings working dogs into the children’s hospital for demonstrations and petting by hospitalized children, their parents, and other members of the hospital community. Children well enough to come into a public area attended in person and about 150 other children, unable to move about, watched the demonstrations on closed circuit TV in their rooms. Fifth graders from a neighborhood public school also attended.

Talented officer dogs

The children’s favorite demonstration was given by two police dogs. These high-energy officer dogs identified a backpack containing contraband and were rewarded with a good game of tug of war with their human partner. The human police officers brought a table full of protective gear, including a helmet and a 35-pound bulletproof vest, which proved to be a big hit with the children.

Two puppy raisers for Guiding Eyes for the Blind brought their puppies-in-training. For the first eighteen months of their lives, guide dogs live with a puppy raiser and learn basic commands, housebreaking, and proper behavior in the home. One of the puppy raisers was a 12-year-old boy who was raising his third guide dog puppy. He told the children in attendance, many of whom were no older than he was, of his experiences while taking his dog into stores and other public places as part of training. Because he was so young, shopkeepers did not always believe he was a puppy raiser and he frequently was prevented from entering with his dog.

Grateful humans

I was touched by a pair of heartwarming conversations about two working dogs who are patients of The AMC. The first conversation was with an owner of a one-eyed therapy dog. This dog visits sick children in the hospital every week. Several years ago, he lost an eye from an injury. His human therapy partner came to thank The AMC for offering free eye examinations to service dogs as part of a program sponsored by the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmology.

Since this dog has only one eye, she is especially grateful we participate in this program promoting healthy eyes. The other visitor came to thank The AMC on behalf of his sister, who is blind and uses a guide eye dog to navigate her way around New York City. This gentleman relayed the story of bringing his sister and her critically ill dog to us. He was grateful for our Frank V.D. Lloyd Fund for Guide Dogs, which for nearly 50 years has paid for the care of working guide dogs and helped save his sister’s dog.

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Ann Hohenhaus, DVM, DACVIM

Dr. Ann Hohenhaus, a practicing veterinarian for 25 years, is board certified in both oncology and internal medicine. She maintains her clinical practice at the Animal Medical Center in NYC, providing primary care to her long-term patients, and specialty care to pets with cancer and blood disorders.

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The opinions expressed in the WebMD Blogs are of the author and the author alone. They do not reflect the opinions of WebMD and they have not been reviewed by a WebMD physician or any member of the WebMD editorial staff for accuracy, balance or objectivity. WebMD Blogs are not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your physician or other qualified health provider because of something you have read on WebMD. WebMD does not endorse any specific product, service or treatment. If you think you have a medical emergency, call your doctor or dial 911 immediately.